VIBRANT GUJARAT 2022: FROM AATMANIRBHAR GUJARAT TO AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
The 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit will be held on the theme of “Aatmanirbhar Gujarat to Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in January 2022. Gujarat has deeply committed itself to fulfill the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat for India’s development. It has become the role model for development due to its political stability, commitment towards all-round holistic development and conducive environment since last two & half decades.
The curtains for the roadshow were raised by an exhilarating introduction by Mr. Sunil Chordia, Deputy Chairman, CII (WR). He spoke about how in 2003 when Shri Narendra Modi initiated the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, it was a new experiment for the nation and the world. Today, it is a global brand image to reckon with. He emphasized about how Gujarat is now among the top 10 states for doing business and investments. The considerable increase in the GDP makes it a lucrative investment opportunity for industrialists and MSME’S alike. He said that under the visionary leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, Gujarat has surpassed many new benchmarks of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”. A number of new initiatives like Production Linked Incentive Scheme, Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, and other schemes will help in progress of the nation in par with other developed countries.
Following the introduction which set the tone for the event, Dr. Rajiv Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries), made a presentation on highlights of the Vibrant Summit and the state’s overall development. He stated that Gujarat ranks 1st for Foreign Direct Investments. It is the only state to have a state-wise water grid, which has changed from a water scarce condition to water secure in a matter of 2 decades. He explained how over 9500 villages and towns as far as 750 kilometers are supplied with water from Narmada river. Gujarat also has a robust state wise gas grid. It contains an extraordinary industrial ecosystem and skilled labour. It has the world’s largest ceramic unit, Asia’s largest dairy network providing employment to the rural population and an uninterrupted power supply. All these factors make Gujarat a lucrative investment option. Gujarat boasts of a futuristic infrastructure with 38% of the USD 90 billion Dedicated Freight corridor between Delhi and Mumbai passing through Gujarat. It has India’s first International Financial Service Centre (IFSC) and first International Exchange. India’s largest greenfield SIR spread over 900 sq. km. with 500 acres land earmarked for defense aviation hub. Gujarat also has the world’s largest single complex diamond house built over 2000 acres which is Diamond Research and Mercentile City (DREAM).
After this charged up establishment of the state’s potential, Gujarat Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Kumar presented the focus points of the Vibrant Gujarat 2022 theme aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He said that 50% of the FDI received by India has been registered in Gujarat. He spoke of the connectivity of the inter-state and intra-state connectivity. The number of airports has gone up from 80 to 150 in the past decade. More than 11 new high speed rail corridors have been planned. The states’ GDP is among the top three of the world. He also stated that Dholera SIR and GIFT CITY are the bigticket projects for the development of Gujarat. He added that approximately 33 lakh MSMES are the backbone of the state’s economy. Vibrant Gujarat Summit has today evolved, focusing on global issues, their solutions and opportunities available worldwide in addition to promoting investment in the state. Networking and knowledge sharing are other pertinent takeaways.
Shri Kanubhai Desai, Minister of Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals spoke of the fact that Gujarat has a holistic ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable development. For the past few years, the state has worked very well on carbon reduction and renewable energy.
He addressed how the current government has been a huge support to bring into action these initiatives. He spoke of how Vibrant Gujarat Summit is the best platform to be a part of the development journey from ‘Aatmanirbhar Gujarat to Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.